I really really really want to be able to use a two piece. I keep trying and trying, but I only get one day wear out of the wafers. I've been using Hollister convex one pieces with tape, and they are fine - usually last close to seven days. The two pieces I've been trying are the New Image ones - flat with no tape.

I've got an order out for samples of the convex two piece, but it doesn't have tape. I also ordered the flat two piece WITH tape, but not convex. As anyone had a similar situation - having trouble with a two piece? Did you find one that worked? Any suggestions? My problem is they always leak, and in the exact same spot. Argh. Just mostly venting my frustration. I don't like the one pieces I'm wearing they are so bulky and I can't change the bag to a smaller one for the gym or swimming or whatever. ARGH! What gets me, is, they are both from the same company, and both are their "flextend" barriers, so it's the same adhesive... why would one work so well and not the other? What am I missing???UC diagnosed: December, 1999Asacol: 1600 MG dailyImmuran: 150 MG dailyPrednisone: 4 MG daily (Woo-Hooo! Getting lower and lower!)

Remicade: Infusion every 7 weeks

Probiotics 4 billion CFU Daily

Glutamine 500 mg 2x Daily

OFF all meds!! Liver failure, and emergency surgery as soon as liver levels return to normal. ACK!

I had this same problem. I was getting 2 days out of my wafers until Peggy told me her little secret which I am going to share with you. Step 1, you need to get an Eakin seal. You can either cut the Eakin or not depending on what you prefer. I used to cut my Eakin and then I got 5 days out of wafer. Now I use the entire Eakin and I got 7 days out of my wafer. Step 2, you take the Eakin and you smoosh it between your fingers until it is flat but not too flat. Step 3, you put in Eakin on the back of your wafer and even cover the whole in the middle of your wafer just a little bit. Step 4, Push the Eakin (from behind the wafer) through the small whole and roll it into the front of your wafer (you are using it like paste). Your wafer has to eat through the Eakin before it gets to the wafer. This gives you more wear time. OK, so you can leave your wafer like this and then put it on your stoma, but I don't. I have more steps that I follow...so, you can do these too but they are optional. OPTIONAL Step 5, line the opening of your wafer with paste from the back of your wafer (like you are squeezing a tube of toothpaste). OPTIONAL Step 6, use a ConvaTec insert and place it inside your wafer. The insert pushes the wafer close to your skin and helps prevent stool from getting behind your wafer.

OK, Ok I know this is a whole program but it works. I think I have to do this because my stool is so concentrated and thick that is sits on my stoma and eats away like an acid.

Would a convatec insert work with Hollister wafers? That "program" seems like it may work for me, too. I did find that stool was just filling up around my stoma, and not movin' on down the line. The insert sounds good, because I think stool is creeping under the wafer. :)

This "system" really does work for me.... I just got 8 days wear time w/o the beginning of any "itchies". I am so happy with it. I think the step (#4) that Amey described above about rolling that Eakin seal through the hole to the front is what makes the difference for me along with the insert. Good luck to you!!!!Peggy

Nope, on the one piece, the tape goes all the way around, the two piece it's kinda different shaped. And the flex wear barriers make my get hives. I can only wear Flextend. Which I don't get, cause I thought they were the same thing. My ET nurse even mentioned how strange it was, but she saw it with her own eyes, so there you go. I do have another convex two piece with tape, so I'm going to give it another go.UC diagnosed: December, 1999Asacol: 1600 MG dailyImmuran: 150 MG dailyPrednisone: 4 MG daily (Woo-Hooo! Getting lower and lower!)

Remicade: Infusion every 7 weeks

Probiotics 4 billion CFU Daily

Glutamine 500 mg 2x Daily

OFF all meds!! Liver failure, and emergency surgery as soon as liver levels return to normal. ACK!

I have the flex wear barriers also. They made my skin itch, burn and turn red. I thought these were the same material as the flextend, but apparently they have something in them that irritates my skin.Amey

I cut the 2 cresent shapes out of the Eakin..like 2 half moons. I cut the first shape and then smoosh it between my fingers and then I apply it right over and around the top part of the hole in the wafer. Then I cut another 1/2 moon shape and smoosh it and apply it under the hole of the wafer. I made sure that the two Eakin pieces connect together to form a cirlce around the stoma hole. My 1/2 moon shaped Eakins are usually about 1/2 inch wide. So, now you have a wafer with Eakin all around the hole of the stoma. Your stoma hole should be covered a little bit and then from the back of your wafer, push the Eakin through the hole and roll it to the front of your wafer hole. It will look like paste all around the hole. Then, if you want, you can apply the wafer. After you apply the wafer to your skin, push all around your stoma to make sure the Eakin adhears to your skin. Then pop the insert inside the front of your wafer. I hope your wafer is a 1 3/4 because that is the size insert I sent you.

Options: You can put paste on top of your Eakin on the back of your wafer.

Options 2: (I always do this) I cut the 1/2 the tape off the top and sides of my wafer just to make it smaller. I just like having a smaller wafer stuck to my skin. This way if my tank top comes up at the gym while I am reaching or stretching, my wafer does not show. My stoma is low so if I cut the tape a little, I can run with shorts and a sports bra while showing my tummy.

I hope this helps. Good Luck. It is not hard to do. This is how Peggy taught me to do it and once I got the Eakin on the wafer I knew just how to roll it to the front of the wafer.

Don't worry if you mess up, you can always start again and the inserts are reusable.

I actually put the insert in the wafer before I even start with the Eakin Seal part. It is easier for me to do it that way with a bum shoulder and it is one less step to do while you are bu**-naked!!!! And, if your ileo is active, it is one less step to do before you remove your old pouch. I got another 7 day wear time this week and still didn't have any "itchies" at day #7 which means I probably could have pushed it a couple of more days. No breakdown on the wafer when I removed it either. The insert fits really snug inside the "rim" of the wafer --- just place it in one side and keep working it around the inside of the rim - it really does fit. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask....

Check out Coloplast's Assura AC line. These wafers are very different from anything I've worn before. I have extremely sensive skins. My skin is very raw right now and it's been hard to keep anything on it. I've found that the Assura and Sensura (which is not completely out yet with distributors, but Coloplast can send you samples) both work well on my skin and it is clearing up the allergic reaction I got from Hollister and ConvaTec.

Email me at mmurphy33@mac.com and I'll send you a pdf brochure on the Assura. It's very descriptive. If you Google Coloplast, you can then click on the North American link. Once on the webpage you can click on send me samples.